Pine Lake in northwestern Waukesha County is one of several worthwhile waters, with the statewide 15-inch, five-fish bag limit in place. DNR surveys indicate several adult year-classes of fish swimming here, with "surprising numbers of walleyes over 25 inches."

Nagawicka and Fowler lakes have state regulations in place regarding harvest, but "both of these lakes show both size and numbers of adult walleyes in recent surveys," according to biologist Beyler. The fact that these heavily pressured waters continue to produce year after year with the help of supplemental stocking is proof that fisheries management is truly a science.

Although there's good access at all Waukesha County lakes mentioned here, you'll seldom be alone at the boat ramp. Courteous boaters have their rigs ready to launch before approaching the ramp. It shouldn't take more than two minutes to launch or recover a watercraft if you're fishing with a partner. Five minutes is adequate if you're by yourself. "Ramp rage" could certainly be justified while watching some candidate fine-tune his village-idiot presentation. But an offer of assistance is a better course to follow. The Waukesha County lakes are a great place to hone your diplomatic skills.

Contact Dick Smith's Live Bait at (262) 646-2218.

UPPER POST LAKE
The waters of Langlade County are one of the best-kept secrets in Wisconsin's north country. On many waters here, a "serious walleye boat" is a cartopper or canoe, rather than a deep-V craft.

Boat access and amenities like bait shops and accommodations are just inconvenient enough to keep tourist types away in droves. Upper Post Lake is a great illustration of this kind of water. There is a good public boat ramp on Post Lake Road just a short hop off of County K. Waters of this 758-acre lake are slightly stained because the famous Wolf River flows through Upper Post, miles before this river becomes famous.

By opening day, walleyes here should be post-spawn and chasing minnows near the Wolf entry point on the north end. If they aren't active here, chances are the fish have slid back into northside bays and are cruising the transition between hard and soft bottoms.

Near midlake there are two humps that aren't found on any map. They just could be marked by a guy in a Lund with a yellow Lab aboard, if there is a red GMC truck in the parking lot with multiple stump dents on the driver's side. Target the edges of these humps beyond a long cast away. Position-fishing a leech or fathead on a Lindy Rig with a 30-inch leader is the way to go -- while staying upwind from the mean guy's Lund if you want to avoid the bird flu or a bite from a rabid Lab.

Contact . . . Are you kidding? Nobody up here wants to be found!